class descriptions back

1.  Muscle Stretch

Muscle stretch is a combination of stretching and range of motion exercises designed to maintain and increase the balance and flexibility needed to successfully perform the daily activities of independent life.  Both seated and standing exercises are performed in addition to muscle strengthening exercises using rubber therapy bands.  This class is highly recommended for anyone interested in starting an exercise program.  The intensity is light, and all exercises can be completed while remaining seated. 

2.  FLEX

Muscle Strength is a class designed to increase muscle strength, muscle power, bone strength and the ability to perform daily activities.  This class incorporates a muscle warm-up and stretch with weight lifting exercises using dumbbells for resistance.  This class may cause light to moderate muscle soreness and a slight increase in heart rate.  This class is great for some-one looking for a challenge or an addition to a current exercise routine.

3.  Water Walking

A real hit among the residents!  Water Walking is a semi-structured exercise session to “Big Band” music.  This exercise-at-you-own-pace class allows residents to have fun while counting their pool laps.  Fifty laps around is a mile, and many residents have gone several miles!  This class can be as intense or as light an exercise session as you prefer.  If you like to exercise in the pool but do not like the structure of a class, water walking is perfect for you!  The water is heated and remains between 87 and 88 degrees.

4.  Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is a combination of balance, stretching and range-of-motion exercises designed to slightly elevate the heart rate.  No weights are used, and the intensity is light to moderate.  This is a great way to get an aerobic workout without feeling the joint pressure of exercises performed on a hard surface.  On Wednesday, residents may stay late for a rousing game of pool volleyball!  The water is heated and remains between 87 and 88 degrees.

5.  Arthritis Aquatics

This class is specifically designed for those with arthritis.  Endorsed and approved by the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis aquatics helps increase muscle strength, flexibility, reduced pain from arthritis, and increased endurance.  In addition, exercising in the water helps take weight bearing pressure off of painful joints, making exercise more enjoyable.  The regulated water temperature helps prevent participants from getting chilled and uncomfortable. 

6.  Circuit Strength

Circuit strength combines the modern concept of fast paced circuit training with light cardiovascular work.  During circuit strength residents rotate through eight resistance training stations while performing light cardiovascular training in-between exercise sets.  Circuit strength tones and strengthens the muscles, improves balance, and can increase cardiovascular endurance.  If you like to work out with people, listen to music, and squeeze a quick workout into your busy day, this is the class for you!

7.  Healthy Heart
 
The healthy heart class is designed to provide a cardiovascular workout that challenges your balance, agility and flexibility.  Healthy Heart also teaches residents how to self-monitor their exercise intensity which promotes safety as well as confidence in your body’s ability to improve.  This is a great class for residents that enjoy exercising with a group.  Come join us and take control of your health today! 
                                                                                   
Why seniors should exercise

"If exercise were a drug, it would be the most prescribed pill in the world" - Robert Butler, First Director of the National Institute on Aging

Why Water Exercise?
The soothing warmth and buoyancy of warm water make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness.

• Immersing in warm water raises your body temperature, causing your blood vessels to dilate and increasing circulation.
• Water exercise is a gentle way to exercise joints and muscles.
• Water supports joints to encourage free movement, and may also act as resistance to help build muscle strength.

Why participate in strengthening exercise? 

A great deal of research on older adult fitness has shown that strength training can improve muscle strength and endurance.  Here are a few of the positive effects:

• Increase lean body mass
• Increase the resting metabolic rate
• Decrease body fat
• Increase bone density and strength
• Prevent and reverse physical frailty
• Increase insulin sensitivity
• Help prevent and control adult onset diabetes
• Help prevent and control osteoporosis
• Improve quality of sleep
• Reduce depression
• Aid digestion and reduce the risk of colon cancer
• Help prevent falls
• Help prevent obesity and its many health consequences

In addition, strength training is safe and effective for all age groups, including the very old, and people with arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease.